2025 NBA Draft Thread 2.0

[DiplomaticMagic]

Shams is cool but I miss Woj, Woj gave out more details on the scuttlebutt of the draft.

[Skybox]

If the Celtics are listening to offers for White go get him! He’s perfect for this team

100%

Can he play Center?

Either you're talking about moving Suggs or thinking White will come off the bench...neither realistic since the Bane trade, right?

[Bensational]

I was reading an article talking about players 22 years or older drafted in the top 20 the last 10 years....and it's brutal, best players in the last 10 years are Obi Toppin, Kelly Olynyk, Hield, Cam Johnson,Obi Toppin, Jaime Jaquez, and Zach Edey(stayed because NIL $)....lots of high pick busts...and jeesh i didn't realize how bad Devin Carter was last year, i kind of wanted the Magic to trade up for him.

Walter Clayton and Nique Clifford names out there as potential Magic picks...I don't know could you imagine an average 22 year old NBA starter/rotation playing against 19 year old college kids.

Age has to be part of the equation. So does improvement. There are certainly situations where it takes a year or two for guys to get the opportunity or figure things out, especially with how easy it is to tranfer these days

I'm not sure if that's right. Mccollum and Lillard both played 4 years of college off the top of my head. I guess that was more than 10 years ago.

I don't think many 22-year-olds get drafted in the top 20. The new rules where they get paid in college will change that. The new norm will be drafting older players.

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Lillard and Mccollum are some pretty good pulls off the top of your head. Yes, both were seniors, yes both were more than 10 years ago, but both were also 21 when drafted. Late birthdays...but your point is taken...

Seems like nowadays if you are going to be drafted in the first round, you do it. Get that guaranteed money. I don't remember how Lillard projected as a pick after his sophomore and junior seasons, but yah he's an amazing example of someone not really recruited turning into an all time great.

I wonder if the NIL will get guys to stay in school longer. Schools have definitely been throwing a lot of $ at centers, who impact the college game way more than the NBA.

Pritchard was 23 in his first NBA season, picked 26th.

Herb Jones was 23 in his first season, picked 35th.

Mikal Bridges turned 22 before his first season started and was picked 10th.

FVV was 22 in his first season, undrafted.

Kuzma was 22.

Maybe these names didn’t make your list because they just missed certain filter cutoffs, but I’m pretty sure there’s a few more decent seniors and 21/22 year old drafted players than your original list suggested.

Edit - two guys who were juniors in college and 21 in their first season, Jalen Williams and Trey Murphy, stand out as a couple of absolute studs who were closer to your cutoff than a freshman 1-and-done. I think there’s still loads of value left to mine out of older players.

[RookieStar]

Alright Im gonna throw a wild one

25 - Fleming
46 - Cash Consideration
57 - Proctor

[Bensational]

Alright Im gonna throw a wild one

25 - Fleming
46 - Cash Consideration
57 - Proctor

Fleming and Raynaud are my two preferences at 25.

Proctor in the 2nd would be awesome - but didn’t you say he’s returning to Duke? (I really should keep up with my own countrymen).

[basketballRob]

I think we'll pick Jase if he's available at 25. Other candidates, Will Riley, Fleming, Raynaud, and Clifford.

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[RookieStar]

Alright Im gonna throw a wild one

25 - Fleming
46 - Cash Consideration
57 - Proctor

Fleming and Raynaud are my two preferences at 25.

Proctor in the 2nd would be awesome - but didn’t you say he’s returning to Duke? (I really should keep up with my own countrymen).

Nope he is in the draft. He played 3 years for Duke. His value as a freshman was an all-time high. Sadly he is a SRP right now.

I prefer Raynaud because he can contribute right away. Fleming I think needs development as a JI replacement

[Knightro]

I don’t really mind who they pick tonight.

They can use depth at literally every position, and if they’re confident they got it right, this pick will afford them the ability to make additional trades and trades are always fun.

[RookieStar]

I don’t really mind who they pick tonight.

They can use depth at literally every position, and if they’re confident they got it right, this pick will afford them the ability to make additional trades and trades are always fun.

Same... use it any player im fine/could live with it.

But punting it/cash considerations? Im rioting

[Idiosyncratic]

I have no clue what they are going to do at 25, I want to predict something, but nothing is standing out to me. I am slightly thinking they might go for an international guy. It just depends on who is going to fall though IMO, this draft is weird.

In the 2nd I really would love for them to find a way to get Broome if he slips at all. I think they will probably pick one of the older guards that can shoot and do little else in the 2nd (Proctor, Lanier, Brea, Bates) and I think that would be perfectly fine, I like those guys for them. I think if Javon Small or Kam Jones are at 46 they would take them. I think 57 might just get sold which is fine because you can grab an undrafted FA anyway and it is basically the same.

Guys they have worked out that not many other teams have - Saliou Niang (defensive raw 3/4 type) and John Poulakidas (lights out shooter). Maybe worth taking note of.

Lastly want to add Kobe Johnson to guys they should look at in the 2nd and undrafted. Excellent defender who has a clear path to being a role player if he can knock down open shots. Has shown signs of life with his 3, makes his twos, decent free throws. Really really good defender.

[basketballRob]

Let's tear our obliques for Nique.

Bates was good in the scrimmages and has a massive wingspan.

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[jonbob17]

I am hoping for Liam McNeely at 25. And i hope we make both of the 2nds, because we need that cheap salary at the end of the bench. 57 at worst can be non guaranteed camp invite.

[basketballRob]

I have a feeling Weltman blows up everyone's draft board and picks Hansen Yang with the 25th. That's totally a Weltman move, and then Yang will go on to never play a productive NBA minute.

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[RookieStar]

I am hoping for Liam McNeely at 25. And i hope we make both of the 2nds, because we need that cheap salary at the end of the bench. 57 at worst can be non guaranteed camp invite.

You want another 6'7/6'8 slow 3pt shootig wing from a P5 program? Dont we have 2 of those in Caleb and Jett already?

[Idiosyncratic]

I will predict they take Saraf or Broome at 25.

[yoyojw17]

I will predict they take Saraf or Broome at 25.

I've been seeing Saraf's name.... and hugo as well. So... expanding my search.

I realize... instead saying "I don't want that player" i try to just learn about other players and try to figure how they can work for us... keeps my stress levels in check and just go with the flow. lol

[jonbob17]

I am hoping for Liam McNeely at 25. And i hope we make both of the 2nds, because we need that cheap salary at the end of the bench. 57 at worst can be non guaranteed camp invite.

You want another 6'7/6'8 slow 3pt shootig wing from a P5 program? Dont we have 2 of those in Caleb and Jett already?

You can never have too many wings that can shoot. And i am not really sure we have any at the moment.

[RookieStar]

I am hoping for Liam McNeely at 25. And i hope we make both of the 2nds, because we need that cheap salary at the end of the bench. 57 at worst can be non guaranteed camp invite.

You want another 6'7/6'8 slow 3pt shootig wing from a P5 program? Dont we have 2 of those in Caleb and Jett already?

You can never have too many wings that can shoot. And i am not really sure we have any at the moment.

Oh we have 2 right now..

[Black and Blue]

I don’t really mind who they pick tonight.

They can use depth at literally every position, and if they’re confident they got it right, this pick will afford them the ability to make additional trades and trades are always fun.

I feel like the Magic zag when the league expects them to do anything particular thing in the draft. I’m ready for them to pick Yang Hansen at 25 to keep him overseas and avoid having to pay anyone in this draft.

I hope I’m wrong and the Jett Howard pick taught their scouts to stop thinking they’re smarter than everyone. They aren’t. And they need low cost controlled players who they know can contribute.

[BlueBalls]

Give me Clayton. If he’s not there I’d like Kalkbrenner.